To amend the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to waive the matching funds requirement under the specialty crop research initiative, and for other purposes.
- Bill Number
- H.R. 3656
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Agriculture and Food
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-05-29: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-19T08:06:08Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This bill, H.R. 3656, aims to make federal funding for research on specialty crops (such as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, and other non-basic crops) more accessible by allowing flexibility in funding requirements. It amends the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 to permit waivers of matching funds for certain grants.
Key Provisions
- Amendment to Existing Law: Modifies Section 412(g)(3) of the 1998 Act (codified at 7 U.S.C. 7632(g)(3)).
- Adds language specifying that the matching funds requirement (where grant recipients must provide their own funds to match federal dollars) is subject to a new waiver provision.
- Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to waive this matching requirement for grants awarded under the Specialty Crop Research Initiative on or after the date the bill is enacted.
- The waiver applies only to future grants, not retroactively.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Previously, entities receiving grants under the Specialty Crop Research Initiative were required to match federal funds (typically at a 1:1 ratio, meaning they had to contribute equal non-federal dollars).
- This bill introduces an optional waiver, giving the Secretary discretion to eliminate or reduce this matching obligation. This shifts from a strict mandate to a flexible policy, potentially easing barriers for underfunded projects.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) gains authority to allocate funds more strategically, possibly increasing the number of research projects funded without requiring recipient contributions. This could streamline grant administration but might strain federal budgets if waivers lead to higher overall spending.
- On Citizens: Farmers, growers, and researchers focused on specialty crops may benefit from easier access to funding, potentially leading to innovations in crop disease management, pest control, and production efficiency. This could improve food security and economic opportunities in rural and agricultural communities.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though enhanced U.S. specialty crop research could strengthen the competitiveness of American agriculture in global markets.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Specialty Crop Producers and Farmers: Groups growing high-value crops like apples, almonds, or berries, who often face funding challenges for research.
- Agricultural Researchers and Institutions: Universities, nonprofits, and extension services that apply for these grants, as the waiver could reduce financial hurdles.
- USDA and Federal Grant Administrators: Responsible for implementing the waiver and overseeing the Specialty Crop Research Initiative.
- Bipartisan Congressional Supporters: Introduced by a group of representatives from both parties, indicating broad agricultural interest.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The change is a straightforward statutory amendment with no apparent conflicts with existing agricultural laws. It preserves congressional oversight by limiting waivers to the Secretary's discretion without mandating them.
- Constitutional: No significant issues; it aligns with Congress's authority under the Spending Clause to regulate federal funding for agriculture.
- Political: Supports rural economies and innovation in a key U.S. sector, potentially appealing to agricultural states. The bipartisan introduction suggests low controversy, but it could spark debates on federal spending priorities if waivers increase taxpayer costs without matching contributions.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (14)
Rep. Larsen, Rick [D-WA-2], Rep. Newhouse, Dan [R-WA-4], Rep. Moolenaar, John R. [R-MI-2], Rep. DelBene, Suzan K. [D-WA-1], Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20], Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2], Rep. Khanna, Ro [D-CA-17], Rep. Takano, Mark [D-CA-39], Rep. Riley, Josh [D-NY-19], Rep. Bergman, Jack [R-MI-1], Rep. Stefanik, Elise M. [R-NY-21], Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1], Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1], Rep. Castor, Kathy [D-FL-14]
Recent Actions
- 2025-05-29: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
- 2025-05-29: Introduced in House
- 2025-05-29: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- To amend the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to waive the matching funds requirement under the specialty crop research initiative, and for other purposes. — issued 2025-05-29 — PDF (2 pages)